Jokook "My role is concluded... Please complete Yoon's punishment and regime change"

"Our People Will Continue to Win"

Former leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, urged the public to complete the regime change after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol was passed in the National Assembly on the 14th.

Former leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Jo Guk, attended the Joguk Innovation Party's nationwide rally for the impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol and the dismantling of political prosecution held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 14th, holding a cheering stick. Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, Cho Kuk posted on his Facebook, saying, "The impeachment motion is just the beginning," and urged, "I ask the people not to let their guard down and to complete the impeachment, punishment of Yoon Seok-yeol, and the regime change."

Cho said, "Our great people have made the right choices whenever the Republic of Korea faced a crisis," adding, "My role has come to an end. However, the people will continue to win."

Earlier that day, Cho Kuk attended the Joguk Innovation Party’s nationwide rally for Yoon Seok-yeol’s impeachment and the dismantling of political prosecution held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, holding a cheering light stick. Toward the end of the rally, he took the stage and emphasized, "The impeachment of (President Yoon) is only the beginning. We must change the regime and create a new Republic of Korea that strengthens people’s livelihoods and welfare through numerous reforms that the previous government failed to achieve," adding, "Only then will our struggle succeed." He also said, "Please fight to the end to create a world where people’s livelihoods and welfare are guaranteed under a new democratic government in my place," and concluded, "I trust you all and step down."

On the 12th, Cho Kuk lost his parliamentary seat after the Supreme Court confirmed a two-year prison sentence on charges including 'admission fraud involving his children' and 'cover-up of Blue House inspection.' With his request for a stay of sentence execution approved, Cho is scheduled to be incarcerated at Seoul Detention Center on the 16th.

Meanwhile, the impeachment motion was proposed on the 12th by six opposition parties: the Democratic Party, Joguk Innovation Party, Reform New Party, Progressive Party, Basic Income Party, and Social Democratic Party. Unlike the first impeachment motion, this one focused on President Yoon’s declaration of martial law and charges of rebellion. At 4 p.m. that day, the National Assembly held a plenary session and voted on the impeachment motion, which passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of 300 members.

According to the Constitution and the National Assembly Act, President Yoon’s exercise of authority is suspended until the Constitutional Court issues a ruling on the impeachment trial, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will assume the role of 'Acting President.' If Prime Minister Han’s duties are suspended due to the opposition’s impeachment motion, the acting presidential authority will be assumed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok.